Car Servicing-Of course regular servicing is important for your car

Point-S Europe-About Point-S-for- Independent Tyre Dealers

17th May 2019/in All Car Servicing /by Eric

Point-S Europe makes a big difference for the local tyre dealers

Of course, Point-S Europe came to Britain about eight years ago now in 2010. Consequently, we as a country joined the massive European group along with Holland. Following a strong contingent of other independent tyre dealers across the continent.

Point-S Europe depot in Holland

So, the original idea started in France in 1971. When a group of independent tyre professionals. Conclusively,were at the time were trading as solo tyre dealers. Thus decided to join forces. Creating an organisation that combined a better image and more corporate image. Of course, in the eye’s of the tyre buying French public.

After several meetings the group came up with the name POINT-S and was promoted as their national brand. That was 42 years ago, and the organisation has spread to every other country in Europe, becoming the largest independent tyre network and now includes the USA giving the group 2530 outlets up to 2011, the groups 40 year anniversary.

I started my first tyre business in 1979, eight years after Point-S Europe started.

We expanded to three depots in a nine year period, but were soon to start getting our tyre numbers affected by the beginning of the “tyre wholesalers”. These were large companies that sold their tyres to anybody, I know we had no right supply the whole of the public with tyres , but these people drove down the tyre sales in our retail depots.

At that time we were able to buy tyres from the tyre manufacturers, getting good deals and making a healthy profit, but when the wholesalers began to flood the area, we were having to compete and this drove down car tyre prices and profit margins and one or two smaller tyre companies closed down.

The reason I talk about this is because we would have loved to have had an organisation like Point-S for us to join, I feel that being part of a group would have given us a better corporate image. However as is the case now, the general business strategy was becoming “big is better”, similar to what is happening today. We were bought out by Shell oil who were building a network of tyre and auto-centres called “Superdrive”. “Superdrive” were to compete directly with “Kwikfit” but they soon found that it was not going to be very easy handling so many tyre depots and sold them all off to “Kwik Fit Tyres” at a discount price, all within a couple of years ?.

Point-S Europe depot in Germany

I then bought the tyre centre that I still own today.

So, with the same thing was happening again. Just as it did in the late seventies and eighties. The business philosophy once again is “big is better”. The large wholesalers that began life in the seventies, had now become multi-national tyre companies with the backing of big banks. The difference this time is that they now wanted to own retail sites. These tyre companies started to build up large networks of retail tyre depots to supply from their own wholesale divisions. All this kind of activity was also happening across Europe, but the difference was that Europe had an organisation called Point-S Europe .Many small and medium sized tyre retailers were able to join, this gave them the corporate image that could and did help them compete with the big boy’s.

Pellon Tyres- join Point-s in 2012

1. This brings up to today’s situation. We as tyre dealers were now looking at a new threat to our existence, “the internet”. Hundreds of web-sites are springing up selling “cheap tyres online”. Most small tyre retail companies started to develop their own web-sites, but the problem was that we were buying our tyres from the very same people who were competing with us on the internet, not a very good state of affairs. The tyre manufacturers would not deal with us because we were too small. Things were not good ! We were working for less and less and longer hours just to make ends meet. Then by chance I was speaking to a friend of mine called Lenny, the owner of Link tyres. Lenny (now passed away)told me about Point-S Europe. This was just what I was looking for a dealer network. Allowing us to buy better, direct from the manufacturers and with a corporate image, they also have an added bonus a competitive web-site that enables us to trade and compete online, one word- FABULOUS.

Point-S Europe depot in France (closed for lunch)

I have been a member of Point-S now for just over seven years.

Looking nationally, instead of been a local tyre depot in Halifax. So, I now feel that we are part of a national group. Including all the advantages that go with it. Heres looking forward to a great future with Point-S Europe. Of course, any tyre dealer in the UK. Ambitiously, with the same feelings should contact Point-S.

Eric Roberts

Hi I would like to introduce myself. I have worked in the Garage and tyre and Battery business now for 40 years. Hence,I worked for a couple of National tyre companies. So, before starting my first business. Consequently, I now own a company here in the UK called Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre. Importantly, I am a keen blogger. Of course, about anything to do with cars and their related products. Finally, that will help my business grow.

Peugeot 406- Brakes- Not checked for Two Years? have you checked yours recently?

16th May 2019/in Brake Servicing Halifax /by Eric

Peugeot 406 not serviced for over two years and has a brakes issue.

Car owners sometimes make my “blood boil”. This particular motorist had decided to have his Peugeot 406 serviced and did not realise that the car had not had a service for well over two years, he insisted that the car had a service in 2012 when it was in for the MOT test, but when we looked it up on our computer system, it was in fact 2011 when it was last serviced. He swore us down that it was only last year and there must be a fault on our computer system.

However he left the Peugeot 406 with us and we proceeded with the service and changed all the oils and relevant filters, the oil was thick and black and there was not much of it and the filters were totally clogged up, we think that in another few months the engine would probably have blown up, due to lack of maintenance.

The car was in for an annual MOT test in 2012 and it passed ,but the car had not been serviced as the customer had thought, however he would have known this because his invoice was only for £39.90,the price of the MOT test. Ryan my head mechanic then removed the wheels to check out the brakes as the car had a “ low efficiency reading”,on the rolling road brake tester.

Peugeot 406 brakes discs were just solid rust.

On inspection the front brakes needed a set of brake pads and the discs cleaning up. The rear discs on the Peugeot 406 were completely rusted solid and in a real mess. The rear Car Brake Pads and Disc Brakes had to be completely replaced because they were in such bad condition. In Ryan’s opinion this work would not have been needed if the Peugeot 406 had been serviced at more regular intervals. Car owners do not understand that their car is a machine made from millions of small parts and they need regular servicing and attention, it is not just a money thing it is all about safety.

I wonder how many people would travel by airplane if they thought that they had not been serviced for ages (not many).

Luckily modern cars are now equipped with electronic assistance’s to warn the driver about any pending problems, they warn you if your pads are getting low, a brake warning light will light up on the dash. Modern braking systems also have electronic assistance’s, known as (EBS) and have other additional braking aids such as Anti-lock brake system (ABS) and electronic stability program (ESP) Traction control system(TCS) and also electronic brake-force distribution (EBD).

These systems are now becoming common features on today’s modern cars and are all designed to aid the driver when braking in different weather and bad situations that may occur. When you have to brake on an icy road or an uneven surface the electronic assistance will apply the correct pressure on the front and rear brakes at the right time to avoid the car from skidding out of control.

In my opinion this is all very good but the car owners should take the basic steps of making sure that their brakes ore in good condition by having the car serviced at a reputable service centre or at least have their Car Brakes serviced. . If you do not know one in your area look online for your nearest Unipart Car Care Centre,

Article written by Eric Roberts...www.pellonautocentre.com

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. We are members of Unipart Car Care centres and give a nationwide guarantee for all our work and parts. We also sell tyres online from our website www.pellonautocentre.com by using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. We offer courtesy cars to local motorists who need to go to work and leave their car with us for work doing. We are also an official MOT testing station and are members of Motor-codes, who carry out checks for high standard of equipment and workmanship.

Waste Oil-Do You Know Where your old engine oil Is Going after a car service?

15th May 2019/3 Comments/in All Car Servicing /by Eric

Waste oil recycling is part of good practice

During my many years in the car garage trade, there are things that just happen and we don’t really think about what happens or how is it done. For years and years people would collect our old tyres, and they would sort through them and actually paid us for the ones which were any good, this was for remoulding usually, but we never knew what happened to the ones which were totally rubbish and unusable ?.

Waste oil collecting drainer for when servicing a car

I remember only that we were paid £1 for a good Michelin casing and 50p for the rest that were any good, but we never got to know where the others ever went. I suppose that they were disposed of at the remoulding plant, all our old tyres went to Comet remoulds in the North East of England UK. I would have thought that the majority of the scrap tyres went to Landfill and were buried for ever, who knows.

I recently did an article about waste tyre disposal at the present time and then got to thinking where all our old garage oil goes, after it is collected by the oil recovery company. We all have to dispose of our waste by law now and a good thing it is too. Here at Pellon Autocentre we have a sort of automatic waste oil system, we drain it into a container and with the aid of air pressure we send the oil down some pipes into a double skinned 1000 litre Waste Oil collecting tank. This tank is drained periodically by the waste oil company. To my horror I have recently found out that motorists and some small garages would throw the old oil down the drain, now it must all be collected and accounted for, here in the UK we must have waste transfer notes provided by all waste that is collected from our businesses, including waste oil and oil filters.

Waste oil is now reprocessed and used again

Millions of gallons of waste oil is now collected and recycled, this includes all our motor oils,brake fluids, transmission fluids and coolants. Some garages have used their old oil to fire their garage heaters, but most send theirs for recycling, it is the new green way of doing things. The great thing about oil recycling is that the product produced is almost as good as newly refined crude oil.

It is possible to recycle old engine oil and make it as good as new. Without tying myself in knots trying to explain the process to you, I would like you to look at this excellent video, by Valvoline Oil it really does explain everything…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdFab1h_C0M

OSS waste oil collecting truck

Just for the record the waste oil that we produce is collected by a company called… http://www.ossgroupltd.com/fuel-oil.html The waste oil is treated and recycled into Fuel Oils, another great use for our old oil. This process is named GEN 3 and has been trade marked by the company £6 million of investment.

Our old oil filters can also be recycled. The filters go through a de-fragmenting machine and are then separated into there various components, metal, plastic and paper and are the recycled.

Old oil filters ready for recycling

Thanks Article by Eric Roberts…www.batteriesontheweb.co.uk

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. We are members of Unipart Car Care centres and give a nationwide guarantee for all our work and parts. We also sell tyres online from our website www.pellonautocentre.com by using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. We offer courtesy cars to local motorists who need to go to work and leave their car with us for work doing. We are also an official MOT testing station and are members of Motor-codes, who carry out checks for high standard of equipment and workmanship.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY- Regularly Checking your Cars Brakes Could Save Your Life ?

12th May 2019/1 Comment/in Brake Servicing Halifax /by Eric

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY

Along with your tyres , your car brakes are the most important (and sometimes most neglected) part of your car. I have been guilty of neglecting my brakes. Especially, when I was a young man. When I was a young mechanic, I borrowed a car from my then boss Peter.

Peter said that I could but I must check the car brakes. Also. the engine levels before setting off on my journey. I was heading for Blackpool. So, a seaside resort on the West coast of the UK. On our return home we started to pass through a town called Preston.

I was doing the statutory speed of 30 mph and was approaching a pedestrian crossing. Of course I should have had to stop. But, when I pressed the brake pedal.Then there was nothing there.Hence, the pedal went straight to the floor boards.

Consequently, I had to swerve the car to miss a guy walking across the crossing. Ending up on the pavement (side-walk). I rapidly pumped the pedal and managed to get some brakes. Thus, on the pedal. Luckily, the vehicle came to a stop. My friends and I managed to push the car to a garage filling station. Of course, a hundred yards down the road.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY

I lifted the bonnet (hood) only to find that the car brake fluid was at zero level.So. in the fluid reservoir. I felt a cold chill down my spine. Because, I remembered what my boss Peter had said. Just the day before we set off. We managed to buy some Tesco Brake Fluid and topped up the reservoir.

The car brakes pumped about half way up. Luckily the car would stop when I pressed the pedal. So, we limped home back to Yorkshire UK.Subsequently, a rather terrifying experience. Of course, which I vowed would never happen again. Lessons were learned that day. As a result, I am going to spell out a few important things about the care of your brakes. Hence,for you to understand. Before you embark on a journey or indeed at any time that you own a car.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY-Your brakes are a life saver

The British MOT test has been a great step forward towards the safety of our cars and our roads. When your car is having it’s annual MOT test we check everything on that car ( to the VOSA MOT test specifications). One of the problems of old was the checking of your car brake pipes.

Brake pipes connect all your four wheels braking system and the cylinders and brake pedal, and are fixed under the car, exposed to all the elements. They are protected by a special coating of wax-oil or sometimes just grease.

Despite all the protection.The Corroded Brake Pipes would rust and then start to leak the brake fluid, eventually causing the brakes to fail,similar to what happened to me in Preston.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY for corrosion

The MOT test makes sure that all your brake pipes (lines) are in good working order and if not the car will fail the test and the pipes will have to be replaced. If you are not sure about the condition of your brake pipes you can get them checked out at your local Unipart Car Care Centre, free of charge, or the local garage that you use at the moment.

Rotted brake pipes found on an MOT test examination

You must always check the brake fluid in the reservoir under your bonnet and top it up if required with the correct fluid. Check your brake pedal it should feel nice and solid, if it goes too far down then have yours checked by a professional garage or mechanic, don’t take risks, you should not have to pump your pedal to get a good brake.

You brake fluid should be changed every so often, this can be done when you have your car serviced, your local garage will be able to ascertain when, by looking it up on his service
computer for your model of car, we use the Autodata system for checking out the fluid change times.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY Including the Fluid Levels

Also you should check your Disc Brakes and Car Brake Pads. These are the parts that constantly wear out and need replacing with Brake Pipe Kits when they get down to a certain thickness.

When the pads wear down to the the metal part of the pads, then this is when you can hear a loud grinding noise that frightens the driver to death. Once again if this happens then you should have your car brakes checked by a professional mechanic or your local garage.

Once again if you have your car serviced when you have your annual MOT test then your brakes will be checked and should be fine for the next year to come. If your brake pedal does not feel right or goes further down than it should before you get a brake, then have the car checked out do not continue to drive before the car is checked by an expert.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY- Thanks Eric Roberts…www.mot-halifax.co.uk

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and Car Brakes Repairs to all makes of vehicles. Members of Unipart Car Care centres and give a nationwide guarantee. Naturally, for all our work and parts. Selling tyres online from our website www.pellontyres.co.uk.

Using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. Offering courtesy cars to local motorists who need to go to work and leave their car with us. Of course, for work doing. Official MOT testing station and are members of Motor-codes. Carrying out checks for high standard of equipment and workmanship.

Hybrid Car Servicing-Independent garages can service Hybrid cars including Pellon Autocentre in Halifax

3rd May 2019/in All Car Servicing /by Eric

Hybrid Car Servicing

Of course, some people think that the “Hybrid Cars” have an edge over conventional cars. Therefore more expensive than the latter. Unlike normal cars, hybrid cars do not need much maintenance or their need some of their components changing?

Because of the many advantages.Thus, over conventional cars, hybrid Cars have gained a lot of popularity in a very short period of time. Hybrid Cars, as the name suggests. Function on a unique combination of a gas-powered internal combustion engine. Including,the clean energy of an electric motor.

While most hybrid cars make use of petrol. So there are some hybrid car models that use alternative fuels. Hence, such as diesel, ethanol alcohol, and fuel derived from plant materials.

Hybrid Car Servicing

Like standard petrol engined cars, then hybrid models have different characteristics and different parts. One of the Ford hybrid models has a special air filter. This is for the battery pack cooling system. As a result the battery filter is located at the rear edge of the drivers side cargo area side glass. This filter should be replaced every 10,000 miles. Some models have different filter changing times but this will be in the service manual.

The fuel engine of a hybrid car requires similar maintenance as required by the engine of a normal car. Depending on the type of hybrid you have, oil changes should be made every 5,000-10,000 miles. Another benefit of the hybrid car is that owing to the regenerative brake system.

So the brake pads in hybrids last longer than those of an ordinary car. Because, they do not wear out easily, then the pads last longer and do not need changing as much as a normal car.

Another likable part of the hybrid is that Unlike other electric cars. Then you need not have to plug in to the mains to recharge the batteries. Because the electric motor of the hybrid acts as a generator when the car is cruising or when brakes are applied. Bear in mind that the longevity of a battery extends considerably if the battery is never fully charged or completely drained.

Hybrid Car Servicing

Unlike normal cars, hybrid cars need less maintenance. Especially on their component parts. Suitable warranties are offered on battery packs, Including, emission parts of a hybrid car by most car dealers. Therefore, you can get the servicing done by professional mechanics at your local autocentre. So at a reasonable cost.

Thus, contrary to the common belief, hybrid cars need less maintenance than your standard petrol engined model. However due to modern design and engineering breakthrough’. Then all car whatever type they are require less maintenance. This seams to be great for the DIY motorists. But the drawback is the expensive equipment that is required to reset the computers and service and diagnostic lights.

Fortunately, for the small and medium garage sector, then we do keep up with ever changing need for new diagnostic tools and equipment. The only grey area that I can see is the battery problem? the petrol engine has a small lead acid battery to operate the lighting systems and other accessories. Of course this is because of the cost. A Li-On battery would be treble the price of a similar lead acid battery. Times this by millions of cars produced and theirs the answer.

Hybrid Car Servicing

The lead acid that is most commonly used is the 054 part number. The main drive battery is a different animal? Some companies allow the customer to lease the battery. However this has its drawbacks? as a result the driver could be tied into a contract for about three years. I believe the cost to be about an extra £60 to £70 a month on top of the cost of the car.

Also the Li-On battery could be bought out-rite for just under the £5,000 mark.

The threat of abolishing the petrol and diesel engined cars, will only strengthen our resolve to learn and to carry on fighting for our rights to repair these vehicles. As a result the small garage industry will learn and equip ourselves in order to serve the public.

Hence in a fair and squire manner by not ripping off the public. As some other sectors of the garage industry have done in the past. Especially when new technology comes along.

Eric Roberts

Customer Courtesy Cars-Pick Up & Return Car Service a garage Necessity in 2019.

26th April 2019/in All Car Servicing /by Eric

Customer Courtesy Cars

We Take The Hassle Out Of Getting Your Car Serviced ! We Collect It, We Service It, We Return It To You! We offer a door to door service that takes the hassle out of getting your car serviced . . Yes, you heard it right!

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

We at Pellonautocentre call these courtesy cars

Of course, this concept was started by the large franchise garages a few years ago now. Consequently, in those days small garages relied upon motorists who lived very close by. Dropping off the car and probably catch the bus to work. Or walk to school with the kids dropping off the car on there way to school. Even teachers lived local and did not require a Customer Courtesy Cars.

So, as the years went by and competition became more intense. People started to buy houses in different area a few miles from work. Of course, families became more wealthier, with the wife having a second car. Naturally, this meant that these families could not do without a car. So, the concept of the Customer Loan Cars have evolved.

Then came the advent of the Customer Courtesy Cars or loan car.

Significantly, it was started off by the bigger companies. manufacturers main car dealers. Subsequently, but switched on independent garages. Who, soon started to use them to retain their customer base. Now they are pretty standard items, in fact we here in Halifax have got no fewer than six cars for our clients use. This includes our latest Customer Courtesy Cars, the Apollo Tyres Fiat 500 and the Vauxhall Corsa.

Thanks Eric Roberts…www.mot-halifax.co.uk

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. Members of Unipart Car Care centres. Giving a nationwide guarantee for all our work and parts. Also selling tyres online from our website www.pellontyres.co.uk . Using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. We offer courtesy cars to local motorists. So, who need to go to work and leave their car with us for work doing. We are also an official MOT testing station and are members of Trading Standards. Carrying out checks for high standard of equipment and workmanship.

Eric Roberts

Mazda 5 crawls in with Brakes Problem making a bad Grinding noise?

24th April 2019/in Brake Servicing Halifax /by Eric

Mazda 5

Mazda 5 brakes make grinding noise

One of the benefits of been an independent garage is the huge diversity of cars that pass through our doors, and our ability to service and fix most of them. I say most of them, because we do have some problems with electrical faults, that can’t be detected without specialists equipment and so in that case we have a couple of different guys who are mobile electrical

Mazda 5 people carrier

specialists, otherwise we can cope with most car problems.

One popular car to run about Halifax UK, is the Mazda 5. The most popular ones being the different Mazda sports cars, that in my opinion were throwbacks from our own beloved MGB sport cars, they all look very similar.

Mazda’s have come a long way since the 1960’s, when they were inspired by the development of the NSU and the Wankel engine. I remember this little car very well; a mechanic friend bought one and showed me the strange engine that was belt driven. The car was also very fast once it got going and the guy used to frighten me to death: eventually the engine blew up and the car was scrapped.

Mazda were very interested in the German technology

and the Japanese car company formed a business alliance with the German car company NSU. In 1967 Mazda started to make a limited production model called the Cosmo Sport and eventually became the sole makers of the Wankel engine, this was only because all the other car companies had given up making the rotary engine.

The Mazda car company was beginning to get a good reputation and started exporting their cars from Japan, both the rotary engine and the standard type piston engine layout, all over the World. These cars were primarily the rotary engine cars, especially the RX models, the RX2, 3 and 4, were the biggest sellers.

In recent years many other very reputable models were introduced to the UK car market and this brings me onto the Mazda 5 that came into us with brake problems. The customer

Disc and pads worn out. You can see that one on the pads the right hand one,has completely worn away due to the seized brake caliper.

originally rang us up for a Brake Replacement Cost, but we explained that we could not tell what the problem was until we removed all the wheels and inspected the Car Brakes including the Car Brake Pads, to see what the problem was.

The customer was a lady with a couple of children and we promised to do the best price for her. This Mazda 5 is a very fuel efficient car with great style and with the performance is a very desirable people carrier and so is very popular as a family car.

The Mazda was left with us for the day with a promise to call the lady with a Brake Repair Cost, as soon as the problem was assessed.

We pulled the car onto the car-ramp and removed all the wheels for a brake inspection

The original problem on the Mazda 5 was that the car brakes were making a terrible grinding noise and we soon found out why? The front brake caliper’s was half seized up. This means that only one of the front Brake Pads were actually working. The one pad that was doing the work wore out quicker than the other pad until it went down to the bare metal and this is what had made the terrible grinding noise from the front of the car.

The other front Disc Brakes were also in need of replacing and so we gave the lady an estimate and we were given the go ahead to do the work on the Mazda 5. Luckily the brake caliper could be freed off, using a little heat and did not need replacing. All the other parts, the discs and pads were replaced. The rear brakes were in good condition and only required a clean-up and the drums replacing.

This type of problem is a common fault with brake discs and is one of the reasons that you should have your car and your brakes serviced, here in the PellonAutocentre Halifax area we service car brakes on most car makes and models. In a service one of the things that we do is to clean and grease the caliper’s, so that they do not seize up and frighten the customer to death when they hear the dreaded grinding noise of metal on metal, when their brake pads wear out.

The job was completed and the customer picked up her car in the evening a happy bunny.

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer Mazda 5 car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. Members of Unipart Car Care centres and give a nationwide guarantee for all our work and parts. Also selling tyres online from our website www.pellontyres.co.uk by using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. We offer courtesy cars to local motorists

who need to go to work and leave their car with us for work doing. We re also an official MOT testing station and are members of Motor-codes, who carry out checks for high standard of equipment and workmanship.

Eric Roberts

Servicing tips -How to beat the sexist mechanics: Simple tips for women to avoid being ripped

21st April 2019/in All Car Repair Articles, All Car Servicing /by Eric

ladies know how to look after the car and the purse strings

How to beat the sexist mechanics: Servicing tips for women to avoid being ripped …

Women who know little about car repairs can make sure they aren’t being ripped off by their mechanic by simply suggesting a price for the work.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Most women customers are very confident when buying anything including having their car repaired.We now even have more female

Female customers are just as confident as men now when dealing with their garage of choice and Servicing tips

mechanics

female mechanics are getting more common these days

So in general then I think that the garages who try to deceive female customers off. Of course, will be dishonest and also try to pull the wool over the eyes of all their customers ? men and women. “THESE GARAGES ARE A FOOL TO THEMSELVES”. So, our lady customers know when they are not been told the truth.

Hence, if the price looks and sounds wrong then it probably will be wrong. We are members of Unipart Car Care Centres, and have regular Servicing tips meetings and contacts with other garages.

It is our experience that our lady customers make up 60% of our total customer base. So, if a garage wants to keep this very important customer base then the ladies have to be treat in the correct manner.

Female customers look for a trustworthy garage

Believe me the ladies know what they are on about and would not go to the garage with their car that they did not trust. So, if they thought that they had been ripped off, they would not go back there a second time. Another addition to this story is that we now have an increasing number of female mechanics, with many Motor Mechanic Jobs going to females.

Incidentally, who are just as competent as male mechanics and are probably more sensible. A strange thing happened the other day? a lady customer who was in for an MOT test asked us the price of a service to go with the MOT test. The lady agreed to the price and we duly did the work;The lady was happy with the job and the price paid and went home, satisfied. About an hour later the ladies husband rang us up and told us in no uncertain words that we had RIPPED his wife off. WOW.

Eric Roberts

HERE IS A SECOND OPINION…

“You don’t ‘suggest’ a price to the garage looking to do the work, whether you know a bit or not. There is a price for the part/s and a price for the labour. The part/s you can research, but they may be privy to discounts etc you aren’t due to trade links, and the labour charge you either agree to or don’t – you could dispute the number of hours charged, but if you think it would take a shorter time, do it yourself. What a daft, American study from three probably biased and slightly bitter women who have fell foul, in their opinion of the motor trade”…

Important Car Servicing Information-Motorists to be educated about Block Exemption in new campaign

19th April 2019/in All Car Servicing /by Eric

Important Car Servicing Information

Many of our customers are confused about having their car serviced at another garage. Consequently, when the car they own is still under manufacturers warranty. Customers think that they have to take their car back to the “main dealers” for any servicing or repair work.

Of course, this is not true. As a result of legislation, then the UK and the USA have similar laws. Hence. that allow an independent garage to repair or service their car. However, it is a good idea to completely read through and understand your warranty. Learn the length of time and the number of miles the warranty covers.

This is all common sense stuff. The Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act which was passed in 1975. In the USA, this is a federal law put in place to protect consumers while purchasing a warranty. Through this act, the manufacturer is required to word the warranty’s contract so that car buyers can easily understand each condition of their vehicle’s warranty. Consequently, here in the UK then motorists are covered by a similar European Union law. Thus protecting the motorist from main dealer misinterpreting car warranties.As a result then the document is called “The right to repair campaign“.

Important Car Servicing Information

You, as a motorist in the EU. Are free to have your car serviced whichever garage you like. Naturally benefiting from the cost savings. As a result, the work can be carried out by an “independent garage”. Such as Pellon Autocentre, here in Halifax,UK . Subsequently, as long as that garage uses manufacturer approved parts or parts that are the same quality. Also, correctly following the manufacturer’s service schedule. Independent garages have much lower overheads than franchised dealers. So their hourly labour rate is also cheaper.

There are a few myths surrounding automobile warranties that we are going to clear up for you . Especially, in the following article. Hence, once and for all.

When an independent garage is repairing your vehicle. Of course, you are able to use the same quality parts other than the manufacturers. Some dealerships will tell you that this voids your warranty. This is an old trick of theirs and is not true. Therefore in any unlikely dispute. It will be the dealership’s responsibility to prove that it was another brand of the part. Thus, that caused the damage if there is a dispute.

[bctt tweet=”There are a few myths surrounding automobile warranties that we are going to clear up for you ” username=”pellonauto”]

If you use a part from a brand other than your manufacturer when have your car serviced. Have your garage clearly write on the receipt the make and model of your vehicle. Also, along with the VIN number, speedo reading. Including, the date you had your car serviced. If needed, keep this for future reference. Of course a good quality garage will have this information entered on your receipt. Also filling in the manufacturers service book with any relevant information.

Important Car Servicing Information

A lot of people believe that you have to have your car serviced at the dealership for the manufacture warranty to be valid. The truth is you do not have to have your car serviced at the dealership to validate the manufacture warranty. General maintenance. “Does not have to be carried out” at your car dealership. So to keep your manufacture warranty valid and current.

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) is raising awareness of motorists’ rights by launching the ‘Your Car, Your Choice’ campaign, supporting key legislation providing motorists with freedom to choose where to service, maintain and repair

Source: Motorists to be educated about Block Exemption in new campaign – Garagewire

Car Hand brake- Car Repair MYTHS ? Hand Brake (Parking Brakes) Customers always want it Checking?

18th April 2019/in Brake Servicing Halifax /by Eric

Car Hand brake

Things that motorists still ask for when having a car repair.(Car Hand brake)

Consequently, this is an article about some of the things that motorists ask for or ask us to check. Hence, when they leave their car with us for servicing. I have to admit that most of these guys are male. Thus, from the older generation of motorists.Naturally, who remember some of the problems that they used to encounter in the past. Of course, on some of the older model cars that were driven then.

Therefore,one of the most asked questions is “Can you just adjust my Car Hand brake”. This comes from the days when I was a young mechanic. So all you had to do to adjust the hand brake on most regular cars. Was to take out a split pin, and turn a screw thread. Of course, to either lengthen or shorten the hand brake cables.Thus giving you more leverage from the handbrake in the brake shoes.

When the handbrakes finally snapped with rust or age. Then, all you had to do was replace it with a new cable,”simple”. This type of hand brake system was always failing. Especially, when you pulled on the hand brake.So, the cable would snap. This, was responsible for many an accident.With cars parked on hills running away. However, this is the type of Car Hand brake that some motorists think their car is fitted with. Thus,thinking that it is only a ten minute job to adjust (at probably no cost to him ).

Car Hand brake (Parking Brake)

As the modern car progressed. So it was clear that better braking systems had to developed. As a result, cars were getting faster, then they had to stop more efficiently and quickly. This brings us up to date.Consequently, with more and more car manufacturers using discs on all four corners of their cars. Not fitting the drums system at the rear. (Some newer cars still have drums at the rear, but more are favoring four wheel disc systems,for greater braking efficiency). Modern cars also have a separate handbrakes system. Including, their own drums system. Thus, working in conjunction with the rear discs. of course, which are virtually a separate system from the main brakes. Many cars are now fitted with duel cables. So, that are better protected from the outside elements (corrosion) .

Worn out discs and pads are another common brake problem besides Car Hand brake problems

Most Car Hand brake on modern cars are much more complicated to service. Of course,now are one and two hour jobs to complete. Some smaller cars have still got rear drums. A Car Hand brake that works by connecting to the Rear Brake Shoes. Requiring freeing off from time to time. Also and lubricating as part of a regular service. But I am afraid that the cables still seize up and have to be come to us for a Car Hand brake Cable Replacement from time to time especially as the car gets older.

Rear Car Hand brake stripped down ready for the hand brake checking

Your Car Hand brake is now a different animal?

In the more up to date modern car with disc brakes all round there is an additional lever and cork screw mechanism that is added to the calipers piston. When the driver pulls the hand brake on in the car, the lever forces the cork screw against the same piston that activates the foot pedal system.

This system also has problems with seizing parts and will take more than ten minutes to free off and lubricate for further use. There are other systems such as used by Volvo, that incorporate a separate drum with its own Ferodo Brake Shoes that is connected to the rear discs, this can also be a long job to service correctly.

To summarise the “can you just adjust my Car Hand brake” days are over, we as a garage need to take more time to repair and adjust the modern car hand brake system and indeed what we do is to offer a separate service just to do the cars braking system justice and to offer a first class brake service.

Article written by Eric Roberts…www.pellonautocentre.com

[bctt tweet=”Most Car Hand brake on modern cars are much more complicated to service and are one and two hour jobs” username=”pellonauto”]

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. We are members of Unipart Car Care centres and give a nationwide guarantee for all our work and parts.